The Best Bars in South Beach Right Now—from Iconic Dives to Rooftop Gems
Discover the Best Bars in South Beach: Hidden Gems, Retro Lounges & Iconic Dives
South Beach may be famous for oversized tourist cocktails and beachside bustle, but dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover a bar scene that’s equal parts gritty, glamorous, and world-class. From neon-lit dive bars with legendary histories to craft cocktail lounges tucked inside boutique hotels, South Beach has something for every kind of night out—you just need to know where to go.Whether you're looking for a romantic jazz den, a moody rum bar, or a legendary spot that still smells like cigarettes and stories, here's your curated guide to the best bars in South Beach right now.
1. Medium Cool
Tucked beneath the Gale South Beach hotel, this subterranean lounge oozes 1970s glam with a Miami twist—think disco balls, mirrored ceilings, and velvet ropes. At Medium Cool, the cocktail program is led by Naren Young of Sweet Liberty and Dante NYC fame, so the drinks are on par with the vibe. Expect a rotating calendar of DJs from Wednesday through Sunday and sultry live jazz and samba sets in the early evenings.
2. Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co.
If there’s one bar on this list that transcends the South Beach party scene, it’s Sweet Liberty. Frequently ranked among the best bars in the U.S., this high-energy but unpretentious cocktail haven balances fun, flair, and flavor. Behind the tropical interior is a killer happy hour (daily from 4–8PM) with 95¢ oysters, $5 beers, and expertly made $10 cocktails. Book the private booth behind the bar if you want to feel like a regular.
3. Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery
Rum reigns supreme at this intimate, tucked-away bar inside the Stiles Hotel. Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery boasts more than 150 varieties of rum, served in both classic and creatively crafted cocktails. Its dark wood interiors and warm lighting make it ideal for a late-night escape, and the bartenders are passionate about helping you explore the nuances of the Caribbean’s most iconic spirit.
4. Brother’s Keeper
New to the scene but already a local favorite, Brother’s Keeper on Alton Road offers dive-bar edge with elevated vibes. You’ll find craft cocktails, inventive bar food, and an enormous saltwater aquarium lighting up the bar’s back wall. Come early for happy hour (5–7PM daily) or swing by late on Fridays and Saturdays for DJ sets and a nostalgic throwback to '80s rock and neon-lit nights.
5. Mac’s Club Deuce
No list of South Beach bars is complete without the legendary Mac’s Club Deuce. Open since 1926 and immortalized in episodes of Miami Vice, this bar is one of the few places where you can grab a beer at 8am and not raise an eyebrow. Once run by the late Mac Klein until his death at age 101, the Deuce remains refreshingly untouched—smoky, neon-soaked, and proudly unpretentious. It’s not just a bar; it’s a rite of passage.From smoky legends to cocktail trailblazers, South Beach is far more than its touristy first impression. Grab a seat, order a drink, and see for yourself why the bar scene here is worth the deep dive.
